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Wellness Wednesday: Is Your Pet Food Safe?

There have been extensive pet food recalls in the last month for salmonella contamination. As of late, 16 people have also gotten sick from handling tainted pet food, infected pets, and/or coming into contact with contaminated pet feces. Diamond Pet Foods has expanded their recall list 8 times to include 39 states, and now their website has a vague reference to cat food being affected as well. In fact, two cats have died and another is ill at a shelter in Montreal, Canada after ingesting Diamond-brand cat food.

Several articles have been rather scathing in their evaluation of Diamond Pet Food’s response. All large companies are likely to have consumer-relations issues from time to time; however, some have gone so far as to accuse this Missouri-based company of deliberately hiding information and belatedly owning up to several violations after an FDA investigation.

Affected Diamond Pet Food brands:

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul

Country Value

Diamond

Diamond Naturals

Premium Edge

Professional

4 Health

Taste of the Wild

Apex

Kirkland Signature/Kirkland’s Signature Nature’s Domain

Canidae

Other brands manufactured at the Gaston, SC facility that have issued separate recalls:

Natural Balance

Solid Gold

Wellness

Batches manufactured between Dec. 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 are included in in the recall, though the latest information also includes Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula, which was manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011. Because these pet foods are also sold through online vendors (but not at BaxterBoo.com) it could be anywhere. Click here to go to Diamond Pet Food’s recall information site.

Misinformation Abounds

While viewing products at a big box pet retailer this weekend, I encountered a rather fatigued-looking sales representative in the treats aisle. Her particular brand had the unfortunate coincidence of incorporating a diamond shape in their logo, and her job was to assure customers that their products were not included in the recall. She assured us that the store would have pulled any affected items from the shelves already. And she also advised me that there were no “salmon” ingredients in their brand’s formulations… as if salmon fish had any bearing on salmonella bacteria!

How can I tell if my pet is sick?

Dogs and cats can become ill due to a Salmonella infection and have diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite, or abdominal pain; however, some dogs and cats may be asymptomatic. Like humans, some pets can become carriers and can infect other animals or people. If your pet is known to have eaten any of the recalled products, you may want to bring your pet in for a visit to your veterinarian for an assessment.

I didn’t even know that Natural Balance was co-manufactured at Diamond. Once I found out, I found a new food for my dogs. Diamond has had so many issues over the last decade, it’s not worth the gamble to keep using it. It’s also troubling that some high end brands like Natural Balance, Solid Gold, and Wellness are made there…supposedly holestic brands.

As a pet owner of three rescue dogs (two yorkies and a maltese) I try to by the so called “better brands” of dog food, yet whenever you hear of dogs dying from the food they eat….it’s always the “better brands” that have the issues. At one time it was Science Diet, Nature’s Best…now Diamond, Wellness (which I use). As far as Wellness goes I was advised “not the small bites” but for larger dogs…..but whose to say it won’t extend to the others. I want to change to another brand but you never know …may trying “Blue”. I also received an e-mail alert about Milo’s Kitchen snacks and Waggin’ Tail snacks…..several deaths caused by these brands also. I’m not buying any food from China, where most of the treats are from. I think I’m going to start cooking my food for my dogs…chicken, sweet potatoes etc….and I’m not even sure about that!

I cook all the food my dogs consume after we almost lost one of our dogs about 7 years ago. They eat only free range chicken, beef etc. steamed organic veggies and some fruits. We actually go to the butcher house to get our meat and buy for the dogs at the same time I know where the meat comes from. All the veggies and fruit come from the local farms. We make up food for a week in advance and freeze it. We covered the treats to we own our own organic treat company. Its work though so worth it I would do it for my kids why not for my dogs why are their lives less valuable. Dog food was made for convenience has has been killing them ever since Think about it?

This topic is going to come up again and again as people and pets continue to have more issues with our current food system. I believe there is already a push towards eating locally and knowing where your food comes from. Kudos to you for being proactive!